Grain-elevator spout



Jan. 14, 1 930.

w. THOMAS 1,743,939

GRAIN ELEVATOR SPOUT Filed May 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JAM- mamavjjmvsuron v ATTORNEY Jan. 14,1930. w, THOMAS 1,743,939

GRAIN ELEVATOR SPOUT Filed May 1929 2 Sheets-Sheep 2 kawmg mvsu'roaATTORNEY Patented Jan. 14, 1930 PATENT-OFFICE WILLIAM THOMAS, orrn'rnnsnune, NEBRASKA GRAIN-ELEVATOR SPOUT I Application filed May a,1929. Serial 1%. 361,476.

This invention relates to grain elevators and has especial relation toelevator discharge spouts, whereby the grain may be directed into anyone of a number of bins.

An object of the present invention is to provide a grain discharge spoutwith means for controlling the discharge of grain, so that whentransferring the discharge from i one bin to another, the flow of grainmay be conveniently shut off, and mixing of the grain in various binsthereby prevented.

' Another object of the invention is the provision of means of the abovecharacter which are positive and reliable in use, and

i may be readilyand conveniently controlled.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includes the following novel features and detailsof construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, il-

lustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appendedclaims. In the drawings Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating afragmentary portion of a grain elevator and grain bins, with theinvention applied to the grain discharge spout.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken respectively on the lines22, 33 and 41- 1 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail corresponding parts, the referencecharacter 10 indicates a portion of a grain elevator through whichextends a discharge spout 11, the latter being designed to direct graininto any one of a number of bins 12. For this purpose, the spout 11 isrotatable and the bins arecircumferentially arranged so that the tops ofthe bins will be disposed in the path of movement of the lower end ofthe spout 11 and grain may be directed from the elevator into any one ofthe bins.

The upper end of the discharge spout 11 may be mounted for rotation asindicated at 13 and rotary movement may be elfected through the mediumof a shaft 1 1 and gearing 15, the latter being connected with the shaft14 by means of ashort shaft 16 and universal joints 17 Any suitablemeans may be provided for rotating the shaft 14.

wherein like characters of reference denote The invention residesparticularly in means for controllingthe discharge of grain throughthespout 11 and forthis purpose, the spoutis transversely slotted asshown at :18 and slidable within this slot is a fiat plate or valve 19.As shown this valve is movable transversely of the spout 11 and isprovided withguide fingers 20 which engage opposite sides of the spout.

Extending from the valve 19 is an arm 21 and pivotally secured to theouter end of this arm as shown at 22 is an arm 23. One end of this armhas secured thereto a spring 24 which acts to yieldingly force the valveoutward or to an open position so that grain may freely flow through thespout.

The pivotal connection 22 between the arm 23 and the valve 19 issubstantially central of the length of said arm and extending from theother end of the arm is a yoke 25. This yoke includes spaced parallelarms which are connected by cross bars 26 and 27 and as the yoke 25surrounds the spout 11, outward or opening movement of the valve 19 willbe limited by contact of the bar 26 with the spout as shown in Figure 1of the drawings.

In order to move the valve 19 inward to shut off the flow of grainthrough the spout,

a cable or other flexible member 28 is connected to the bar 26 andextends downward over a guide pulley 29. This pulley is mounted at theouter end of a bracket which is secured to the spout.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings it will be seenthat when the valve is in its normally open position as shown in Figure1, grain may pass freely from the elevator into one of the bins 12. Whenit is desired to transfer the discharge of grain to another bin, thecable or flexible member 28 is pulled downward so that the valve 19 willbe forced inward against the spout and interrupt the flow of grain. Thespout may then be adjusted to another bin for the discharge of grain. Bythis means, grain is prevented from flowing into the wrong bin andbecoming mixed with grains of other character.

The invention is susceptible of various ice changes in its form,proportions and minor details of construction and the right is hereinreserved to make such changes as roperly fall within the scope of theappended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. Ina discharge spout,for grain elevators, a normally open spring carried valve mounted forsliding movement transversely of the spout, a yoke enclosing the spout,and means pivotally connecting the yoke and valve to control theoperation of the latter and means to actuate the oke.

2. In a discharge spout or ,grainelevators, a valve slidabletransversely of the spout to control the passage of grain therethrough,an :arm pivotally connected to :the valve, a spring connected to one endof said arm to yicldingly hold the valve in "open position, a movableyoke enclosing the spout and connected :to :the other end of the .arm tolimit opening movement of the valve, and means 1t0 move the yoke ;toclose the valve.

In testimony whereof I .aflix my signature.

THOMAS.

